“I’m happy you found each other. She’ll be good for you. I’ve known you since you moved to Hartford. I have never seen you this happy.” She wasn’t wrong on that one.
I was always grumpy and rarely smiled. I used to come to the bakery, take my treat and coffee to go, and head back home. It was a rare occasion that I would sit in the bakery and eat. That all changed when I met Blair. I would spend my entire day in the shop, focusing on my business. But without those couple of years of solitude, I wouldn’t have been able to turn my business into what it is today. I worked hard to make a name for myself in the business of custom body and car work, excelling on classic cars and imports. I taught myself to put a car back together, piece by piece, but that was one of the perks of being a demon, excelling at anything I put my mind to and being able to make money easily.
“She’s my world. And I agree, I was a surly asshole. Am I able to take her home now?” Looking down at my unconscious mate.
“You should be good. She will probably be out for at least the rest of the day. If she doesn’t wake up by tomorrow, let me know, okay?” She stands up, giving me room to pick her up. I bend down and place my arms beneath her head and knees, carrying her bridal style, holding her against my chest.
“Will do. Thank you again. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for what you have done for my mate, baby, and in turn for me.” I owed this woman my life.
“This isn’t something that needs to be repaid, Asmodeus. I think of her as the daughter I never had. I’m happy to have you guys in my life, and that’s all I ask for in return, to be apart of it.”
“Of course,” I nod in appreciation towards her as I walk out of the building, the door closing behind me. There is blood splattered on the sidewalk, which I try to ignore as I head to my truck. I lay her down in the back seat and put one of the seatbelts around her waist to make sure she is safe. I hear the door open before I leave.
“Asmodeus! Wait! Are you okay? You didn’t ask me to heal your wounds.” She stares at my arm and shoulder, worry written over her face. My arm and shoulder are coated in blood, my shirt has been ripped apart, and deep wounds in my flesh are visible.
I grunt, “I’ll be okay. It will heal. My instincts are riding me hard to get Blair home and to safety. She’s more important than me.” She gives me a slow nod and closes the door. I appreciate the sentiment, but my mate comes first. I’m taking her home.
* * *
March 3rd
I held her all night, wrapped up in my arms, not able to leave her side. Ever since the attack, she has been unconscious and hasn’t awoken. Thea said she and the baby were okay, to give Blair some time, and she would wake. Even though she was healed, there were still scars on her body from the attack. I know I had nothing to do with the attack, and it wasn’t my fault, but I still felt the shame and guilt because I didn’t protect my mate. I wasn’t there for her when sheneeded me, and that killed me inside.
I barely had gotten time with my mate, and she was snatched from my arms and almost killed. The pain in my chest still lingers. My soul is crushed from the memories of our bond going dark. It was such a debilitating moment for me; I thought my world was ending. I will never let that happen again. I break down, large sobs wracking my body from the trauma of almost losing everything. I breathe her in and hold her close to ground myself in the present.
“I’m sorry your birthday was ruined,” she croaked. Her voice startled me, not expecting her to awake. I bury my face into her hair and neck, breathing her in.
“You and the baby being safe is all I need, and the greatest birthday gift I could ask for,” I barely got out, choked up on the what-ifs. A deep shuddering breath left me; she finally awoke. Tears were streaming down my face from how overcome I felt, the relief palpable.
“You’re making all my dreams come true,” I whisper.
“Is the baby okay?” She whispers, her hand going to her tiny bump.
“Yeah, the baby is okay. Thanks to Thea, she was able to save you both,” rubbing my hand on her bump, feeling the small flutters from within.
She’s quiet for a moment. “Wait, did you say Thea saved us?” Her question was filled with confusion. Ahh, she must not know about her.
“Yeah, she did. She’s a healer, actually. She was able to pull you into the bakery and start on her magic immediately,” I let her know.
She’s silent for a few moments, letting that truth bomb sink in. “I’ll have to make sure to thank her then. And probablyask her a million questions,” a small laugh escapes. I smile at that, not doubting her one bit. She does ask A LOT of questions, but I don’t mind. I love the way her mind works.
I mindlessly rub her bump in soothing circles as I am lost in thought, something niggling in the back of my head. “Blair, did you see what attacked you?”
I feel her nod her head against my chest. “It was terrible. I don’t know what it was, but I would assume some kind of beast or creature,” she whispered. “I was extremely scared,” her voice started to tremble, sobs wracking her body.
“Hey, it’s okay. I got you,” I whisper, making gentle shushing noises as I comfort her, holding her close, ensuring she feels safe. Once she calmed down, I explained the creature she saw. “You were close, it was a hellhound. A nasty beast from the demon realm,” I snarl.
My brain processes all the facts I know: she could see the hellhound, she saw past my glamour, and when I claimed her, her blood was not human.
“I know this is a bit off topic, but do you know anything about your family history?” Trying to connect the pieces.
She shakes her head. “No I don’t, that was more my mom’s thing. She was very interested in the supernatural and family ancestry. She kept all kinds of records, journals, and books.”
Huh. “Did she ever share any of the information she was looking into or found with you?” I was probing her for answers.
“Not really, but she did read a lot of fairy tales and fated mate tales to me when I was a child. Why do you ask?” Curiosity bleeding into her tone.
“This might come as a shock, but I don’t think you’re entirely human. You may not be human at all, actually,” Isay slowly, trying not to freak her out.
